Texas Podiatry Hurricane Relief Fund Launches

The Texas Podiatric Medical Association (TPMA) has set-up a “Podiatry Hurricane Relief Fund”. This fund is specific to the profession of podiatry, with all donations going to podiatrists, their families and their staff who are affected by Hurricane Harvey.

The TPMA, which has over 200 members in the affected area, was moved to create the fund after hearing the accounts of podiatrists who suffered tremendous damage to their homes and offices. It may take them years to rebuild and FEMA has stated that it may take up to five years for the region to fully recover.

The organization has set-up a community blog to help members connect and share resources (such as donating/sharing office space and supplies).

Looking for Ways to Help People Affected by Hurricane Harvey?

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has temporarily suspended all necessary statutes and rules to allow licensed health-care providers employed by a hospital and in good standing in another state to practice in Texas to assist with disaster response operations. This suspension is in effect until terminated by the Office of the Governor or until the Hurricane Harvey disaster declaration is lifted or expires. Hospitals must submit to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) by email each out-of-state provider's name, license type, state of licensure, and license identification number.

If you have questions or need assistance, call TDLR at 800-803-9202 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CDT or email Harvey@tdlr.texas.gov

ABFAS Board Elects New Officers

At its July meeting, the Board of Directors elected the new officers who will start their terms on September 1, 2017. Matthew Williams, DPM steps into his President role; Danny Choung, DPM is the new President-elect; Keith Jacobson, DPM will be Secretary/Treasurer; and Mindy Benton, DPM, transitions to Immediate Past-president.

Christopher Lotufo, DPM, will be ending his term as Immediate-Past President on September 1, 2017. ABFAS would like to thank Dr. Lotufo for his work with the Board. We appreciate his diligence and dedication during his terms as President (2015-2016) and Immediate-Past President (2016-2017) and board member (2011-2017).

A Step Forward for the VA Provider Equity Act

The VA Provider Equity Act, HR 1058, took another step forward as it passed the Full House Committee on July 24th. The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) is working to find a sponsor to push the bill through the Senate.

The VA Provider Equity Act would result in the Veterans Health Administration System recognizing Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPMs) as physicians and make podiatrists equal to their physician peers in terms of pay and eligibility for promotion and leadership positions.

Congressman Brad Wenstrup, who is ABFAS board-certified and serves as the Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee, is the bill’s primary sponsor. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) are supporting the bill.
The VA’s current qualifications for podiatrists have not been updated since 1976 and have led to a disparity in recognition and pay when compared to the podiatrists who practice outside of the VA system. This disparity has resulted in difficulty recruiting and retaining podiatrists and a resulted in a lack of podiatric access for veterans who need care.

ABFAS is pleased about this successful move forward for VA podiatrists and the veterans who could benefit from increased access to foot and ankle care.

ABFAS Diplomates Elect New Members to Board of Directors

Congratulations and welcome to the three new members of the ABFAS Board of Directors; D. Martin Chaney (incumbent), Jeffrey Giesking, and John Thomas Marcoux.

Three director positions were open for the 2017 election. Dr. Chaney was re-elected to a second three-year term, while Drs. Giesking and Marcoux were elected to new three-year terms. The terms become effective September 1, 2017 and end on August 31, 2020. Drs. Giesking and Marcoux will then be eligible to be nominated for re-election.

We also want to thank all ABFAS members who took the time to vote. Of the 6,976 Diplomates eligible to vote, 1,607 responded, indicating a return of 23.04%, a rate similar to that of previous elections.

Important ABFAS Deadlines

Important deadlines are in effect for candidates who completed a CPME-approved residency of less than three years, but are not yet ABFAS certified. As there are a number of steps candidates will need to take in order to complete the process by then, we want to make sure that you are aware of them.

Candidates without ABFAS Board Qualified status have until December 31, 2018 to complete the ABFAS board qualification and 2020 to complete certification. Please refer to this timeline for details.
If your qualification has expired, you may apply for requalification; however, any requalification may not extend beyond December 31, 2020. Document 110 provides additional details about the process.
Candidates with Board Qualified status may pursue board certification until December 31, 2020. Please refer to this timeline for details.

Dr. John Evans Honored with APMA’s Award of Excellence

The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) awarded former ABFAS board member Dr. John Evans with the Award of Excellence. This award recognizes outstanding service to the APMA and impressive national accomplishments in scientific, professional, or civic endeavors.

Dr. Evans’ commitment to the field of podiatry is exceptional. He has worked tirelessly at the national level to promote the field of podiatry and its standards of excellence.

Dr. Evans has been active in ABFAS since 1994. He has served on various committees including roles as an Oral Examiner, Case Credentials Reviewer, and a developer of the Computer Based Patient Simulation (CBPS) exam. He has also been a member of the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Committee, the group charged with the development of ABFAS’ MOC program.

His leadership roles include being a member of the Board of Directors and chairing the Communications Committee. In addition, he has represented ABFAS as a Residency Program Evaluator. Dr. Evans’ professionalism, passion for the profession, and medical expertise has been instrumental in the advancement of the field and ABFAS’ work.

We are grateful for Dr. Evans’ hard work and tremendously pleased that the APMA has honored his dedication to the field of podiatry.

The Spring 2016 Issue of the ABFAS Newsletter is Now Available Online. Read it here.

Changes to Case Review Requirements for 2017

Important ABFAS deadlines

Important deadlines are in effect for candidates who completed a CPME-approved residency of less than three years, but are not yet ABFAS certified. As there are a number of steps candidates will need to take in order to complete the process by then, we want to make sure that you are aware of them.

Candidates without Board Qualified status have only until December 31, 2018 to complete the ABFAS board qualification and certification processes. Please see the accompanying timeline for important exam and case review application dates. Document 110 provides additional details about the process.

Candidates with Board Qualified status may pursue board certification until expiration of their Board Qualified status. Candidates may apply for requalification; however, any requalification may not extend beyond December 31,2018. See Document 110 for details. Please see the accompanying timeline for important exam and case review application dates.

Need to practice taking the CBPS exam so you know how it works?

You will need to use IE for it to work properly. You will also find a pdf with more detailed instructions here.

ABFAS has Responded to Criticism

From the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons on the qualifications of ABFAS certified foot and ankle surgeons relative to Senate bill 175. The bill provides for podiatrist recognition within the VA system.

News About the Case Review Process

New: Open management of fractures must include some type of internal or external fixation.

Change: Candidates currently certified in Foot surgery seeking only RRA certification are only required to log all RRA procedures performed January 1, 2009 or later (or when candidate first achieved Board Qualified status subsequent to January 1, 2009). (Previously, candidates had to continue logging foot procedures in addition to RRA).

Clarification: The candidate must be listed as the surgeon of record in the intraoperative anesthesia record (no co-surgeon).

Change: The ABFAS randomly selects up to 13 procedures from those logged in PLS. (changed from 10)

New: Policy for Potential Misrepresentation: Any incomplete, questionable, modified or falsified case materials submitted may be evaluated further by the ABFAS. The ABFAS may require that the candidate assist in the verification of submitted documents. The ABFAS reserves the right to pursue further investigation including, but not limited to, sending an ABFAS appointed representative to further review documentation. Failure to comply with the process and/or discovery of falsified records will result in disqualification of the candidate and such other action as ABFAS deems appropriate including revocation of Board Qualified status, disqualification for certification and forfeiture of fees paid.